♥ A Very Special Novena ♥ Day 5

St. Gerard, who, like the Savior, loved children so tenderly and by your prayers freed many from disease and even death, listen to us who are pleading for the Contreras Family. We thank God for the great gift of M.E.C and ask God to restore this child to health if such be His holy will. This favor, we beg of you through your love for all children and mothers.

Amen

Day 5

O Mother of Sorrows, through thy Fifth Sorrow, standing beneath thy dying Son on Mt. Calvary, and thine, O St. Joseph, the Flight into Egypt, intercede for me with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and grant me the favor I implore:

Provide comfort and healing for M.E.C.  May she not experience the discomfort that follows this form of surgery.  Please help both parents, and siblings, feel at peace in these days.  May it be Thy will to have M.E.C home, with her family quickly.

Our Father...

Hail Mary...

Glory be...

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we humbly beseech Thee, through thy holy Cross and Passion, through Thy Death and glorious Resurrection to be merciful to us and all poor sinners.

O Jesus, have mercy on us.

Strengthen our faith; increase our hope; make us perfect in the love of God and our neighbor, so that in this life we may serve Thee alone in true justice, praise and extol Thee forever in Heaven

St. Peregrine, Pray for them

St. Gerard, Pray for them

St. Philomena, Pray for them

Mother Mary, Pray for them

Jesus, Hear us!

O Holy Child Jesus, who shed Your blessings on whoever invokes Your name, look kindly on us who kneel humbly before Your holy Image, and hear our prayers. We commend to Your mercy the many poor and needy people who trust in Your Divine Heart. Lay Your all powerful hand upon them and help them in their needs. Lay Your hand upon the sick, to cure them and sanctify their suffering; upon those in distress, to console them; upon sinners, to draw them into the light of your divine grace; upon all those who, stricken with grief and suffering, turn trustingly to You for loving help. Lay Your hand also upon all of us and give us Your blessing. O little King, grant the treasures of Your divine mercy to all the world, and keep us now and always in the grace of Your love!

Amen.

Novena Source
(click here)

{P,H,F,R}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

{Pretty}

I took a little stroll around my yard earlier to take some of these shots.  There was nothing spectacular as far as my photography skills; the prettiness came from the colors that we can still see through winter. 

Southern California is great in that way.  Even the last of my roses are still hanging in there.  Though, it's high time to prune them back.  I've pruned most of them, but this last showed the promise of one more rose. Something to hang on too until spring.

{Happy}

Cecilia is happier feeding the 'ladies' than working on phonics.

They are happier sitting by the pool than resuming chores

I'm happy with all the yummy oranges they've been picking all week. 

Seriously, we have a weekly supplies of 20+ oranges. 

{Funny}

I don't have a clue as to what the serious conversation was about.  But, these two sat on my van with their pogo sticks for a good 20 minutes! 

{Real}

and great news!

A new beautiful gift! 

We've been praying for this sweet baby, of our good friends. 

Please read the short history (click here) and join us in praying for her healing.

♥ A Very Special Novena ♥ Day 4

St. Gerard, who, like the Savior, loved children so tenderly and by your prayers freed many from disease and even death, listen to us who are pleading for the Contreras Family. We thank God for the great gift of M.E.C and ask God to restore this child to health if such be His holy will.  This favor, we
beg of you through your love for all children and mothers.

Amen

We first thank you dearest Jesus for the birth of this beautiful child you have blessed the world with.
Please continue to protect and heal M.E.C as she waits for her surgery.  We pray that it would be your will that she would be miraculously healed without the need of surgery.  We also ask for quick the healing of her momma, Valerie!

Hear us, oh Lord!

Day 4

O Mother of Sorrows, through thy Fourth Sorrow, meeting thy Jesus on His Way to Calvary, and thine, O St. Joseph, the Prophecy of Holy Simeon, intercede for me with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and grant me the favor I implore.

Our Father...

Hail Mary...

Glory be...

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we humbly beseech Thee, through thy holy Cross and Passion, through Thy Death and glorious Resurrection to be merciful to us and all poor sinners.

O Jesus, have mercy on us.

Strengthen our faith; increase our hope; make us perfect in the love of God and our neighbor, so that in this life we may serve Thee alone in true justice, praise and extol Thee forever in Heaven.

St. Peregrine, Pray for them

St. Gerard, Pray for them

St. Philomena, Pray for them

Mother Mary, Pray for them

Jesus, Hear us!

O Holy Child Jesus, who shed Your blessings on whoever invokes Your name, look kindly on us who kneel humbly before Your holy Image, and hear our prayers. We commend to Your mercy the many poor and needy people who trust in Your Divine Heart. Lay Your all powerful hand upon them and help them in their needs. Lay Your hand upon the sick, to cure them and sanctify their suffering; upon those in distress, to console them; upon sinners, to draw them into the light of your divine grace; upon all those who, stricken with grief and suffering, turn trustingly to You for loving help. Lay Your hand also upon all of us and give us Your blessing. O little King, grant the treasures of Your divine mercy to all the world, and keep us now and always in the grace of Your love!

Amen. 

Novena source:
(click here)

♥ A Very Special Novena ♥ Day 3

St. Gerard, who, like the Savior, loved children so tenderly and by your prayers freed many from disease and even death, listen to us who are pleading for the Contreras Family. We thank God for the great gift of M.E.C and ask God to restore this child to health if such be His holy will. This favor, we beg of you through your love for all children and mothers.

Amen

Day 3

O Mother of Sorrows, through thy Third Sorrow, the Loss of the Child Jesus, and thine, O St. Joseph,  intercede for me with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and grant me the favor I implore

Bring comfort under your loving embrace, that the Contreras family feel
supported under their heavy load. 
Health and well being, dear Jesus!  Bring health, if this is your will, to this sweet baby!

Our Father...

Hail Mary...

Glory be...

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we humbly beseech Thee, through thy holy Cross and Passion, through Thy Death and glorious Resurrection to be merciful to us and all poor sinners.

O Jesus, have mercy on us.

Strengthen our faith; increase our hope; make us perfect in the love of God and our neighbor, so that in this life we may serve Thee alone in true justice, praise and extol Thee forever in Heaven

St. Peregrine, Pray for them

St. Gerard, Pray for them

St. Philomena, Pray for them
Mother Mary, Pray for them

Jesus, Hear us!

O Holy Child Jesus, who shed Your blessings on whoever invokes Your name, look kindly on us who kneel humbly before Your holy Image, and hear our prayers. We commend to Your mercy the many poor and needy people who trust in Your Divine Heart. Lay Your all powerful hand upon them and help them in their needs. Lay Your hand upon the sick, to cure them and sanctify their suffering; upon those in distress, to console them; upon sinners, to draw them into the light of your divine grace; upon all those who, stricken with grief and suffering, turn trustingly to You for loving help. Lay Your hand also upon all of us and give us Your blessing. O little King, grant the treasures of Your divine mercy to all the world, and keep us now and always in the grace of Your love!

Amen.

Over Coffee & Phonics

As a homeschooling family the events and discussions around the table never fail in the area of imaginative and intriguing.  There are vast topics for each child to choose from; especially since the age range in our family is spread across the spectrum, high school to first grade.

So it came to no surprise when Cecilia seriously asked Lucy this morning, "So Lucy, tell me what you think your future children will look like?"  She continued to inquire about 'how many boys she'd like to have verses the girls'. 

Lucy thought for a while, perking up her head from the isosceles and the 30 degree - 60 degree triangles staring at her from the geometry book.  Which, by the way, are just additional ways of finding the lengths of an isosceles triangle, per Lucy. (insert a confused mother's look here with the words "HUH?" over it... that would be me)

But, Lucy answered Cecilia, that she may be called to be a sister and thus, have no children of her own. 

I glanced up from my coffee and history paper I was reviewing from another child, who was patiently waiting for his paper back. 

A sister!  Really!  Cool!  First, I've heard about this new thought to her future.  Sweet!!

Cecilia must have been equally as shocked as I was because her answer was classic, Cecilia. 

"But, Lucy you already are a sister!"

Foolish 15 year old, Cecilia must have thought.  LOL

Lucy went on to tell her she was open to God's calling for her, whatever that would be.  But, that being a sister would mean she would be Jesus' bride forever and thus join an order of religious sisters.  She didn't know yet whether she was called to be one or not, but she was open to it. 

And here is the real kicker!  "So Cecilia, you should also be open to what God calls of you", continues Lucy.

Yes!  The mother in me wanted to yell out.  I didn't of course because I was still deep in the Paleolithic Era in that paper.  Plus, the conversation wasn't with me.  I'm polite that way.

Cecilia has been around many religious sisters, Carmelites of Alhambra mostly.  So she got it.

The conversation ended.  And Cecilia went back to wondering why, oh why, does the TH tickle when you sound it out.

I love the homeschooling table... such fun topics!

Of course, within the hour two of the four were then arguing over the loudness of the piano player and the other was upset that she still had to work on subtraction.  Uh well, the morning was good :-)

♥ A Very Special Novena ♥ Day 2

St. Gerard, who, like the Savior, loved children so tenderly and by your prayers freed many from disease and even death, listen to us who are pleading for the Contreras Family. We thank God for the great gift of M.E.C and ask God to restore this child to health if such be His holy will. This favor, we beg of you through your love for all children and mothers.

Amen

Day 2

O Mother of Sorrows, through thy Second Sorrow, the Flight into Egypt, and thine, O St. Joseph, the poverty of the Child Jesus at His Birth, intercede for me with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and grant me the favor I implore

Today provide the strength to both parents as they begin their new journey.  Dearest Jesus, guide the hands of the medical team as they care baby M.E.C.  Comfort the brothers and sisters as they wait to meet their new sister!

Our Father...

Hail Mary...

Glory be...

Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, we humbly beseech Thee, through thy holy Cross and Passion, through Thy Death and glorious Resurrection to be merciful to us and all poor sinners.

O Jesus, have mercy on us.

Strengthen our faith; increase our hope; make us perfect in the love of God and our neighbor, so that in this life we may serve Thee alone in true justice, praise and extol Thee forever in Heaven

St. Peregrine, Pray for them

St. Gerard, Pray for them

St. Philomena, Pray for them

Mother Mary, Pray for them

Jesus, Hear us!

O Holy Child Jesus, who shed Your blessings on whoever invokes Your name, look kindly on us who kneel humbly before Your holy Image, and hear our prayers. We commend to Your mercy the many poor and needy people who trust in Your Divine Heart. Lay Your all powerful hand upon them and help them in their needs. Lay Your hand upon the sick, to cure them and sanctify their suffering; upon those in distress, to console them; upon sinners, to draw them into the light of your divine grace; upon all those who, stricken with grief and suffering, turn trustingly to You for loving help. Lay Your hand also upon all of us and give us Your blessing. O little King, grant the treasures of Your divine mercy to all the world, and keep us now and always in the grace of Your love!
Amen.

♥ A Very Special Novena ♥

Tonight I start a special novena for two very dear friends from our parish.

This sweet, and faithful, couple will be induced in the delivery of their baby girl tomorrow. 

Baby M.E.C has Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

 and is facing a serious surgery soon after her delivery.
The first of at least 3...

If you able to, would you please pray with us?

DAY 1

St. Gerard, who, like the Savior, loved children so tenderly and by your prayers freed many from disease and even death, listen to us who are pleading for the Contreras Family.  We thank God for the great gift of M.E.C and ask God to restore this child to health if such be His holy will.  This favor, we beg of you through your love for all children and mothers.

Amen

Novena to Our Mother of Sorrows and St. Joseph

O Mother of Sorrows, through thy First Sorrow, the Prophecy of Holy Simeon, and thine, O St. Joseph, the doubts that harassed thy mind regarding thy chaste Spouse, intercede for me with the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and grant me the favor I implore

For a safe delivery of your precious gift, M.E.C. 

As only you, dear Mother, know so well the grief a mother feels for their child; please comfort both parents and intercede for them in their prayers over their child, to Our Lord Jesus.

Our Father...

Hail Mary...

Glory be...

St. Peregrine, Pray for them

St. Gerard, Pray for them

St. Philomena, Pray for them

Mother Mary, Pray for them

Jesus, Hear us!

O Holy Child Jesus, who shed Your blessings on whoever invokes Your name, look kindly on us who kneel humbly before Your holy Image, and hear our prayers. We commend to Your mercy the many poor and needy people who trust in Your Divine Heart. Lay Your all powerful hand upon them and help them in their needs. Lay Your hand upon the sick, to cure them and sanctify their suffering; upon those in distress, to console them; upon sinners, to draw them into the light of your divine grace; upon all those who, stricken with grief and suffering, turn trustingly to You for loving help. Lay Your hand also upon all of us and give us Your blessing. O little King, grant the treasures of Your divine mercy to all the world, and keep us now and always in the grace of Your love!

Amen.

Plugging Science blogging

Lucy has been writing a lot lately.  In fact, there is a stack of essays and reports in her file that I have yet to go through, edit, and grade. Sorry mija.

Have I ever mentioned that editing is NOT my area of strength?  Editing and fractions... (add a shudder of chills here please).

But, that doesn't stop Lucy from writing; and waiting patiently for her papers back.  Bless her heart!

Her latest trend is a cool one though.  It's a science blog.  "A science JOURNAL, mom", she yells out as I say 'blog'.  Okay, it's science, JOURNAL!!

She just started it and shared it with me.  It was nicely done with not a lot of clutter.  Knowing my child, this online journal is going to get a good amount of her attention.  I, then, would like to encourage her.  So I'm going to ask you, who may pop in to read this, to check her stuff out. Especially if you are into science.

If you can offer her any feedback, that would be great!  She's into science.  So any thoughts on what she is observing, or editing of her narrations, would be so very cool of you.  Really it would be cool :0).

Much obliged!!!

Here is the link to the blog journal:

http://scientia-biology.blogspot.com/

Kisses from Katie

A long time ago, another blogger introduced me to this young lady.  Her stories and life blew me away.  She leaves all she knew behind at a ripe age of 18!  Then, as life is, through this chose and that chose... she ends up in Uganda, adopting 14 girls, opens her heart and door (literally) to the sick and poor EVERYDAY!  Sacrificing each day for a people she never knew, she follows Jesus and finds him in the faces of each person she sees.

How can such a young girl be so trusting of God's will?  I ask myself that whenever I read a post of  hers.  Her blog, Kisses from Katie, humbles me often.  Oh, I dare not compare my day in any way.  But, I am thankful that God has created Katie and those like her.

"Through Katie’s life, we’re reminded how God can use ordinary people to do extraordinary things for Him. We simply need to be willing to be used."

~ Rich Stearns, President of World Vision US

She wanted to be Blessed Mother Teresea of Calcutta... need I say more

Kisses from Katie

I can't wait to start reading this.

From our family to yours,

May God bless each of you,

May His grace be stowed upon you,

May we treasure His gifts, always!

Only God Knows...

In the times of great saddness for many families.  This song hit home for me.  Only God knows the whys in our lives.  In the lowest points of my own life, He provides what is needed.  In trusting Him, I can find comfort. 

My heart grieves for these families.

My prayers are with them and for them.

Lord Jesus, lover of our souls, you gave us your life so that everyone might be saved and have eternal life. Hear our prayers, look with favor and love on your people who grieve and others who pray for their passed family members. Only You are holy, just, mighty and perfect in all your ways; yet you look on us with compassion and mercy. By sacrificing yourself for us, you have given us access to You. Please give all those sould your light, joy and peace in heaven where you live and reign for ever and ever.

Amen

{p,h,f,r}

~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~

Every Thursday, here at Like Mother, Like Daughter!

{PRETTY}

My girls

My guy!

{HAPPY}

So, happy for this table my mother-in-law painted and fixed up for us!

So, happy I have such an awesome MIL!

{FUNNY}

Silly dog! 

He does bring tons of fun to our family. 

{REAL}

Unfinished projects

(there are many)

Finished fun projects

The signs of tradition everywhere

all REAL
(including the uncompleted chore I can see in the background :-))

St. Nicholas:: 2012

In pictures

and a few words

 ~ Links & Resources ~

Main resource

St. Nicholas Center

The books

A Gift from St. Nicholas

The baker's dozen

The Shepherd's Christmas

The First Christmas Tree

The cookies

Speculatius (go here)

(German Spice Cookies)

*The only adaption to this recipe was the use unsalted butter, instead of the shortening*

The cards

Each child recieved a little note from Papi and I;

written in the back of indivdualized images of St. Nicholas

God of joy and cheer,

We thank you for your servant,

the good bishop Nicholas.

In loving the poor,

he showed us your kindness;

in caring for your children,

he revealed your love.

Make us thoughtful

without need of reward so that we, too,

may be good followers of Jesus.

Amen

Martha Showed Me...

I was skimming through a December 2008 issue of Martha Stewart's Living magazine the other night; and I saw something...
Something that I could actually do.
Something that used items I already had in the house.
Something that wouldn't cost me a single cent.

In the old house we use to hang our Christmas cards around the piano; or on the inside of the front door.  Our cards looked scattered though.  Not like the gallery displays I would see in the Better Homes magazines. 

But with a few supplies... 
I made a super cute, and easy display.

What you need:

1.  Get all the scraps of that Christmas paper around the house

2.  Clothes pins

3.  Glue stick

4.  Ribbon

5.  Scissors

The pictures are pretty self explanatory. 

Using the scraps of paper, measure out the approximate size of your clothes pin

Cut the paper to size

Using a glue stick, spread it on the side the paper with be glued too

and

just in minutes you have...

A pretty display for all those Christmas cards coming your way...

Evidently mine are slow to arrive...

Thank you

Martha Stewart!

Jesse Tree:: 2012

Paper cuts outs, home made creations, or treasured bought ones?  Jesse Trees are, and it's ornaments, popping more and more each year. 
Can there be an Whoop Hooo for that!!

We started a Jesse Tree a few years back.  I didn't have any fancy ornaments, nor any idea about a tree.  But I had bought a nice paper set from a local Catholic store (sadly no longer in business) and used a mini Christmas tree.  Then a couple of years ago I made some felt ornaments for my sister-in-law and her family, those were cute!  I had wanted to make our own set, but just never got around to it. 

This year came the offer from Jessica @ Housewifespice  (look here). 

Now, along with our Advent readings (look here);
we have a new set of Jesse Tree ornaments.
For our new home! 

Our box arrived just today (yesterday now)!

See the Noah's Ark at the top, that's my contribution to the set.

There are several places to go to for ornaments, readings, and to get the history of Jesse Tree.  Jessica @ Shower of Roses (look here) has a great list of resources. 

We keep it fairly simple; some years we've hosted a Jesse Tea (look here).  While other seasons we've kept to the traditions of my childhood; like posadas. 

So we've had hectic seasons, sickly seasons, peaceful seasons... etc.

Hey, we're normal right?

First Sunday Advent, for us, was just about perfect.

  Grandparents came over and Grandpa blessed our wreath.  Then we feasted on Pozole.

Ending with a chapter of a new book

Destination: Bethlehem

A Family Advent Adventure

Then a short movie for the kids.

Last night we began our Jesse Tree readings.

And this morning our little tree had the prettiest sunlight on it.

Though, they should have been outside already doing chores.  I couldn't get mad at them for cuddling up so cute to hear Lucy read from our books.

Advent has begun,

and we are so grateful for it!

I'm linking this up over @ Jessica's blog

Shower of Roses

Please pay a visit to the other moms... there are some adorable traditions being celebrated right now!